General Questions
Absolutely. Sailing aboard Shore Thing lets you access remote, untouched parts of the reef that day tours rarely reach. With multiple daily in-water activities and no long trips from shore, it’s the most immersive and uncrowded way to explore Ningaloo.
The Ningaloo Reef offers a more intimate, uncrowded, and easily accessible experience compared to the Great Barrier Reef. At Ningaloo, the reef lies just offshore, making snorkelling and diving incredibly convenient — especially on a liveaboard, where you can explore remote, pristine sites with minimal travel time, maximising this experience by giving you extended time on the water and access to the region’s best, least-visited locations. Learn more about the Ningaloo Reef here.
Absolutely! There is so much more to the Ningaloo than the big spotty fish! Think spectacular snorkelling & diving sites, epic marine life encounters, warm days and west coast sunsets over the Indian ocean, deep limestone gorges of the Cape Range and an array of natural wonders. Learn more about year-round Ningaloo Wildlife here
About Our Tours
All tours depart from Coral Bay, Western Australia. Sail Ningaloo is happy to assist in booking transfers from Learmonth airport. *Please note transfers to Coral Bay must be booked in advance, they do not meet every flight.
Explore Sail Ningaloo’s tour options here. We offer 3-night, 5-night & 8-night liveaboard sailing tours, as well as private charters for families, friends, or special occasions. Each tour is designed to showcase the very best of the Ningaloo Reef, with plenty of time to relax, snorkel, sail, dive and explore.
We also offer various packages including external accommodation and day tours to provide a comprehensive and tailored Ningaloo itinerary for guests.
Contact the Sail Ningaloo reservations team to explore your options for a world-class liveaboard experience and Ningaloo Reef holiday.
Our vessel caters for a maximum of 8-10 guests accommodated in 4 guest cabins, ensuring an intimate, personalised experience with plenty of space and attention from our friendly, professional crew.
Find out more about Our Vessel here.
A Sail Ningaloo tour includes all meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, snorkelling gear, wetsuits, tanks & weights for scubs diving, guided activities, and transfers to and from the vessel from Coral Bay accommodation. You simply bring your clothes, swimwear, and sense of adventure!
For a comprehensive list, visit our What’s Included page for further tips on what to pack.
Alcohol is NOT included in the price of your tour aboard Shore Thing. A selection of reasonably priced Western Australian wines and beers along with local and international spirits are available for purchase onboard. You can pay for your alcohol purchases onboard, at the end of your trip, with cash, bank transfer or credit card (please note additional charges apply for credit card purchases).
Snorkelling, Diving & Marine Life
We welcome guests with a range of snorkelling abilities. For the more experienced, snorkelling provides some great marine life interactions and for beginners, our crew can provide guidance, flotation aids and in-water support. All of our in-water activities are guided by our experienced crew.
Visit our Snorkelling Ningaloo Reef page.
Yes, certified divers (minimum Open Water) can scuba dive onboard Shore Thing. Guests must have a minimum 1 logged dive within 12 months of their tour date and complete a PADI dive medical questionnaire along with providing their dive details. Clearance to dive from a doctor may be required – please enquire when booking.
On average you can expect 1 dive per day plus multiple snorkelling activities, more dives may be offered dependant on conditions on the day and access to sites.
Guests can bring their own dive gear, or we provide masks, closed foot fins, wetsuits, tanks & weights – BCD & regulator can be hired with a fee. Visit our Scuba Diving Ningaloo Reef page.
Ningaloo offers amazing experiences year-round:
- March–August: Whale shark season
- June–October: Humpback whale season
- Year Round: All other marine life, turtles, manta rays and more!
Ningaloo Reef is teeming with life — you may encounter turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins, small critters such as octopus & moray eels, colourful fish, vibrant coral gardens – and more! Depending on the season, humpback whales (June–October) are also seen.
Learn more about the Ningaloo Reef wildlife here.
- Manta Rays can be seen all year round.
- Humpback Whales start to migrate north past Ningaloo from mid June. They can be seen regularly until October, with highest numbers witnessed between July and September.
- Dugongs can be seen all year round although they are shy animals and sightings can’t be guaranteed. They are more common between March and June.
- Whale Sharks can be seen from March onwards at Ningaloo and have been sighted in recent years through September from Exmouth. They are wild animals and every season is different so please take the time to discuss how the current season is going with your Sail Ningaloo consultant.
- Reef sharks can be seen all year round at Ningaloo Reef. They can be observed whilst snorkelling and scuba diving. Sightings peak during the summer months.
- Marine Turtles can be seen all year round on Ningaloo Reef whilst snorkelling and scuba diving. From October through to February they nest on beaches all along the Ningaloo Reef and hatchlings emerge December through March.
Ningaloo enjoys warm, sunny weather most of the year. Expect daytime temperatures in Coral Bay between 25–35°C, with mild evenings. Visit our weather page.
Life On Board
Our catamaran Shore Thing features spacious, air-conditioned cabins with double, king or twin-bed configurations and private facilities. Social areas, shaded deck space, and plenty of room to relax make it an easy and enjoyable live-aboard experience.
For further information about the cabins and to view our Virtual Tour visit Our Vessel page.
All meals are freshly prepared on board using local ingredients where available. You can look forward to delicious, home-style cooking and plenty of variety. We’re happy to cater for allergies and special dietary requirements — just let us know in advance.
View a sample menu on our What’s Included page.
As Shore Thing operates in a remote area, part of the appeal is the ability to switch off and be immersed in the natural magic of the Ningaloo Reef.
Mobile reception is intermittent (Telstra and limited Optus coverage only). On our longer 5 & 8 night tours, check with your Skipper as to the times when reception will likely be unavailable at our most remote sites so you can plan contact with friends/family if required.
However, Shore Thing is well-equipped in order to contact, and be contacted by, land-based operations in the event of an emergency.
Our vessel is fully equipped with:
- Shaded outdoor lounge and dining area
- Comfortable indoor saloon
- Bean bags and day bed on decks
- Freshwater showers
- Snorkelling and dive gear, kayak & SUPs
- Charging points for cameras and small devices
- Private bathroom facilities for all guest cabins
- Coffee machine
Learn more about our Vessel here as well as view our Sail Ningaloo Virtual Tour.
It is very uncommon for guests aboard Shore Thing to experience sea sickness. Our tours are designed so that the vessel can remain inside the sheltered confines of the fringing reef to avoid unfavourable conditions. Additionally, the vessel boasts exceptional stability due to its large size and wide design, further reducing the likelihood of seasickness. Our crew are well trained to assist guests avoid situations whereby they may feel ill, and the vessel always anchors inside the reef at night in safe and calm conditions.
If you are unsure, or prone to motion sickness, we recommend bringing personal medication.
Travel & Preparation
If flying to Exmouth / Learmonth you can get to Coral Bay via transfer bus, scenic flight, or hire car. Learmonth airport is 110km from Coral Bay and takes approximately 1hour and 15 minutes via bus or car. Exmouth town is 150km from Coral Bay and takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Sail Ningaloo is happy to assist in booking transfers from Learmonth airport. *Please note transfers to Coral Bay must be booked in advance, they do not meet every flight.
Coral Bay is approximately 1200km from Perth. You can self-drive from Perth or any other destination as there is a sealed road servicing Coral Bay. Alternatively you can fly with Qantas airlines into Exmouth (Learmonth) everyday. Flights take 2 hours from Perth. Our tours are scheduled to depart and return to allow enough time to catch the afternoon flights.
If self-driving have a look at our Coral Bay to Perth road trip guide.
For a pre tour night or two, we recommend staying in Coral Bay or for further exploration of the Ningaloo region, we recommend staying in Exmouth.
Contact the Sail Ningaloo reservations team who can provide advice and options to suit your requirements and budget.
An extended Sail Ningaloo tour is the best experience, of course!
For before/after your Sail Ningaloo tour – swim with whale sharks/humpback whales on a day tour, snorkel Turquoise Bay, Cape Range hikes and kayak tours, scenic flights and unique accommodation options.
Contact Sail Ningaloo Reservations team to tailor a comprehensive package itinerary to suit your interests.
Check out our Plan Your Trip page for further ideas.
Check out our What’s Included page which also has a suggested packing list.
Booking & Policies
Our tours fill up quickly, particularly during whale shark and humpback whale seasons. We recommend booking 6–12 months in advance, or as soon as you decide to join us, to secure your preferred dates and cabin type.
Keep an eye on our Sail Ningaloo Specials page for any last-minute opportunities.
Safety is our top priority and guests will be kept informed of any changes to the tour schedule or itinerary. As the Shore Thing is an extremely safe and stable vessel, tours proceed as scheduled in most conditions, whereby our crew consider the conditions of each day as to the sites visited.
Yes! Private charters are perfect for families, small groups, or special events. You can customise your itinerary for a truly exclusive Ningaloo experience. Charters can accommodate up to 8 – 10 guests in 4 main guest cabins.
Have a look at our Private Charter page and contact us for further details.
Children aged 7 years and older are welcome on shared tour departures.
Private charters can accommodate children of all ages. Additional crew can also be booked upon request, dedicated to supervising children.
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly for details.
Sustainability & Conservation
We’re proud to operate with a strong environmental focus. Our tours follow Eco-Certified practices, we minimise waste, use eco-friendly products, and educate guests about the delicate reef ecosystem to help preserve it for future generations.
Learn more on our Community & Environment page.
Absolutely! By joining our tours, you’re already supporting sustainable tourism. We also encourage guests to use reef-safe sunscreen (available on board to purchase) and to respect all wildlife during encounters. Your expert on-board crew will provide further information about sustainability during your tour.